Budget Cuts Force East County School District To Shelve Librarians

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Aired 3/9/11

One San Diego County school district may eliminate all of its librarians. The drastic plan is part of California’s school budget crisis.

Librarians in the Grossmont Union High School District may be headed for the history books. The school board will consider cutting 65 full time positions on Thursday, including nine librarians, to reduce a $19 million budget deficit.

Superintendent Ralf Swenson said the job of making budget decisions was given to the district’s principals.

“And the principals from our nine campuses came back with a recommendation that among their cuts would be the position of librarian," said Swenson.

He said the nine librarian positions will be discontinued. "But the librarians won't be out of a job -- they'll be given teaching positions," Swenson explained.

The district is working to keep the libraries going.

“We’re developing a plan to try to continue providing library services to our campus. We’re looking at a few different models right now and we’ll be discussing some of those options with our board and also seeking some additional input," said Swenson.

Other proposed cuts in the district include teachers, counselors and administrators.

School districts across the county are facing similar cuts because of projected state funding reductions and declining student enrollment.